Treatment of refractory intracranial hypertension in a spina bifida patient by a concurrent ventricular and cisterna magna-to-peritoneal shunt.

CASE REPORT: A 20-year-old female born with a thoracic level myelomeningocele, Chiari II malformation, and hydrocephalus treated at birth developed clinical features of increased intracranial pressure (ICP) due to shunt malfunction. The patient became comatose. Her ICP remained high despite a functioning shunt and even after the ventricular catheter was exteriorized. Diagnostic imaging consistently demonstrated slit-like ventricles, a Chiari II malformation, and a tethered spinal cord. We attributed her neurological condition either to brainstem compression or increased ICP related to venous outlet obstruction at the foramen magnum. OUTCOME: The patient improved rapidly after undergoing a Chiari II decompression and placement of a shunt from the cisterna magna and upper cervical subarachnoid space to the peritoneum connected by a "Y" connector to the ventricular catheter.
CONCLUSION: The complex hydrocephalus was effectively treated by this concurrent ventricular and cisterna magna-to-peritoneum shunt.